Sunday, March 9, 2008

No Menu Monday, A Birthday, and a Cookbook of the Week

Our red plum trees are in full bloom this week!

It's nearly here. The big one. It's a milestone birthday for yours truly! Yes. I will be the dreaded 3-0.

The funny thing is I'm actually not dreading it at all. I'm 30 years old and I've earned every gray that is quietly sneaking into my auburn-brown hair (okay...maybe I didn't "earn" all of them!), I have a solid faith and I know who I really am, I am married to the most wonderful man on this earth, we have a home of our own, 4 cats who love us, an incredible family, devoted and loving friends, we are happy and blessed and I am glad to be here! I think "30" is not an end, but a new beginning!

That being said, this week will not have a standard menu. We'll be off work near the end of the week to celebrate my birthday and to have some rare time together at home. We'll probably have sandwiches, a breakfast night, spaghetti, and I have given Michael specific instructions to make me a gluten free chocolate cake (and since the poor guy really doesn't enjoy cooking, I handed him a bag of Pamela's Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix.... it has a recipe for cake on the side. Hopefully he won't chicken out on me!)

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This week's cookbook is another oldie but goodie! When I was little I remember watching Jeff Smith's "The Frugal Gourmet" on PBS with my dad. It was in the years before the Food Network and the availability of cooking shows around the clock on satellite television. We always looked forward to watching the show and hearing Jeff's antics on which cuisine he was preparing for his viewers that week.

Jeff Smith, was not only a retired Methodist minister, but he was an early "healthy living" pioneer, focusing on fresh, healthy meals made with "real" ingredients and whole grains. The Frugal Gourmet also knew the value of a dollar and explained how to make meals on a budget. He would also dedicate several weeks of shows to favorite foods of a specific country. He loved international cuisine and one was of the first American "celebrity chefs" to focus on global foods. He would travel and spent time in local farmer's markets of Italy or France, buying farm fresh produce and cheeses. He loved local wines and vineyards. He was a great chef and I love his cookbooks. My well loved, dog eared copy of "The Frugal Gourmet" (c. 1984) has tons of fabulous recipes and great cooking techniques. Many of these recipes are naturally gluten free. You will also love reading Jeff's informative and funny comments on each recipe! This is an incredibly fun cookbook to read!

I'll share this recipe with you today! I have not made it yet, but I love lamb! If you make this, please share with me how it turned out!

"I have just this minute realized that writing cookbooks is much harder for me than I would have ever imagined. It is hard not because I have to explain myself, but because I have to think about these recipes, and it is not even close to lunchtime. This lamb and artichoke stew from Greece cause me particular pain. You must make this! You must! -- Jeff Smith" 4 Tbsp. butter2 pounds boneless lamb, cubed3 yellow onions, peeled and chopped2 cloves garlic, crushed1/2 cup parsley, choppedSalt/Pepper, to taste1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste1 cup dry white wine2 (14 oz.) cans artichokes in brine, drained1/2 tsp. dried dill weed3 Tbsp. lemon juice

Directions:

In a very large frying pan met the butter. Add the lamb and saute until lightly browned. Remove the meat. Saute the yellow onions along with the garlic and parsley. Place the meat, onions, garlic, and parsley in a heavy kettle, and add salt, pepper, and the tomato paste, and white wine. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours or until the lamb is tender. Add artichokes, dill weed, and lemon juice. Simmer until all is tender about 1 1/2 hours.

Serve over pilaf. Along with the stew over the pilaf serve a nice fruit tray and a large salad. I would start the meal with a pate or terrine.

Reese - I LOVE your nickname girl! That's one of my favorite names actually! Thank you so much for commenting and wishing me a happy birthday! I agree with you! I think my 30's will be wonderful! Thanks again!!

Sally - Thank you!!! I'm just hoping I can follow a similar health regime to yours and be 50 pounds lighter by the time I'm 31!! Thank you very much for your well wishes!!

Man, If I had known you were turning thirty I would have come up with some jokes to make fun of you! I still can't believe you are so much older than me. Alright teasing over... I wish you a blessed year! I can imagine that the 30s are much more confident than the 20s. Maybe a bit more calm too since you have been established for awhile. And I agree, a good marriage is such a blessing. xoxo Nat

Gluten Free Mom -- THANK YOU! You have no idea how many people are waiting for us to pop a few kids out! ;-P But you are right, 30 does seem to be the age of the "clock ticking!"

Thomas -- Thanks! It's amazing how quickly these birthdays sneak up on us! I hope 40 stays away for a while! Haha!

Gluti Girl -- Jeff Smith did have a very distinct voice! That was one of those fun things about watching the show!! If you go to You Tube, and search for The Frugal Gourmet, one video of him with David Letterman appears, it's pretty funny!! Thank you for the well wishes! I think Michael is going to make the cake! (finger's crossed!!)

Cassandra -- Thanks so much girl! I hope things are going well with you!!